Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals

by Bouchoux, Deborah E

• ISBN13: 9780735551053
• ISBN10: 0735551057
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2005-08-24
• Publisher: Wolters Kluwer

Summary

the Fourth Edition of Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals continues to build a strong foundation for future practice while introducing students to the latest techniques and processes. The text retains the features that earned it such widespread use: clear, well-organized text For The introductory legal research and writing course, designed specifically for paralegal students comprehensive overview of research and writing skills, reinforced by illustrations and exercises integrates writing strategies into each research chapter to demonstrate the link between the two processes timely and thorough coverage of electronic research, including a chapter on internet research as well as fee-based services such as LEXIS and Westlaw. Throughout the text, The author supplies further tips on how to use electronic resources most effectively. useful charts and diagrams help students understand complex topics thorough explanation of proper citation form and updating/validating legal authorities, including Shepardizing and KeyCiting samples of legal writing, such as letters, a court brief, and a legal memorandum This timely revision contains much new material: completely revised text reflects the changing nature of legal publishing to help students learn how to navigate through cyberspace, a section at the end of each chapter, State Your Answer, now offers additional questions relating To The materials discussed. These questions require students to access relevant internet sites and local information, and can be made state-specific. a new feature, The Final Wrap Up, provides practical and pragmatic information on citing and using various research resources and advises students on when to use a certain set and whether it may be cited in various legal documents Practice Tips now appear in each chapter, offering realistic and helpful suggestions for workplace success expanded and updated Legal Citation chapter with more coverage of the ALWD citation manual. The examples of citation form given at the end of each chapter display citations in both Bluebook and ALWD form. Coverage is updated to the new (18th) edition of the Bluebook. Please visit the new companion website to learn more about this book. Website: http://www.aspenlawschool.com/bouchoux_legalresearch4

Table of Contents

Preface	xxxiii
Acknowledgments	xxxvii
Section I Legal Research: Primary Authorities	1	(192)
Finding the Law	3	(26)
The Paralegal's Role in Legal Research and Writing	3	(2)
Legal Research and Writing as Core Competencies	3	(1)
Ethical Duty to Research Accurately	4	(1)
Law Libraries	5	(4)
Types of Law Libraries	5	(2)
Arrangement of Law Libraries	7	(1)
Law Library Staff	8	(1)
Law Library Courtesy	8	(1)
Other Library Services	9	(1)
Sources of Law in the United States	9	(4)
Cases and Our Common Law Tradition	9	(2)
Constitutions and Statutes	11	(1)
Administrative Regulations	11	(1)
The Executive Branch	12	(1)
Legal Systems of Other Countries	13	(1)
Legal System of the United States	13	(3)
Law Book Publishing	16	(3)
Non-Print Research Media	19	(1)
Change in Our Legal System	20	(3)
Identifying the Holding in a Case	23	(1)
Case Citation Form	24	(5)
CyberSites	25	(1)
Writing Strategies	26	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 1	27	(1)
State Your Answer	27	(2)
The Federal and State Court Systems	29	(32)
Federalism	30	(2)
Establishment of Federal Court Structure	32	(1)
Jurisdiction	32	(4)
Federal Question Jurisdiction	33	(1)
Diversity Jurisdiction	33	(2)
Concurrent Jurisdiction	35	(1)
Exclusive Jurisdiction	35	(1)
Ground Rules for Cases	36	(1)
The Federal Court Structure	37	(15)
District Courts	37	(1)
United States Courts of Appeal	38	(3)
United States Supreme Court	41	(9)
Specialized Courts	50	(2)
State Court Organization	52	(3)
Citation Form	55	(6)
Federal Cases	55	(1)
State Cases	55	(3)
CyberSites	58	(1)
Writing Strategies	59	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 2	60	(1)
State Your Answer	60	(1)
Statutory Law	61	(44)
Federal Legislation	61	(34)
Enactment of Federal Statutes	61	(5)
Classification of Federal Statutes	66	(1)
Publication of Federal Statutes	67	(1)
United States Statutes at Large	67	(3)
United States Code	70	(1)
Annotated Versions of the United States Code	71	(16)
Use of U.S.C., U.S.C.A., and U.S.C.S.	87	(2)
Research Techniques	89	(5)
Final Research Steps	94	(1)
United States Constitution	95	(1)
State Legislation	95	(5)
Enactment of State Statutes	95	(1)
Publication and Codification of State Statutes	96	(2)
Research Techniques	98	(1)
Descriptive Word Approach	98	(1)
Title/Topic Approach	98	(1)
Popular Name Approach	98	(1)
Uniform and Model Laws	99	(1)
Statutory Research Overview	100	(1)
Citation Form	100	(5)
Federal Statutes	100	(1)
State Statutes	100	(1)
CyberSites	101	(1)
Writing Strategies	102	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 3	103	(1)
State Your Answer	104	(1)
Case Law and Judicial Opinions	105	(50)
Selective Publication	106	(4)
Standards for Publishing Cases	106	(1)
The Controversy Surrounding Unpublished Opinions	107	(3)
Elements of a Case	110	(10)
Case Name	110	(5)
Docket Number and Deciding Court	115	(1)
Date of Decision	115	(1)
Case Synopsis or Summary	115	(1)
Headnotes	115	(2)
Names of Counsel	117	(1)
Opinion	117	(3)
Decision	120	(1)
Publication of Cases	120	(3)
Official and Unofficial Publication	120	(2)
Series of Cases	122	(1)
Advance Sheets	122	(1)
Publication of State Cases	123	(5)
West's National Reporter System	123	(3)
Citation Form	126	(1)
Discontinuation of Some Official Reports	127	(1)
Publication of Federal Cases	128	(5)
United States Supreme Court Cases	128	(1)
Publication	128	(2)
Rapid Access to United States Supreme Court Cases	130	(1)
United States Courts of Appeal Cases	131	(1)
United States District Court Cases	132	(1)
Cases Interpreting Federal Rules	133	(1)
Star Paging	133	(1)
Specialized National Reporter System Sets	134	(3)
West's Military Justice Reporter	134	(2)
West's Veterans Appeals Reporter	136	(1)
West's Bankruptcy Reporter	136	(1)
West's Federal Claims Reporter	136	(1)
Federal Cases	136	(1)
Features of West's National Reporter System	137	(1)
Tables of Cases Reported	137	(1)
Tables of Statutes and Rules	137	(1)
Table of Words and Phrases	137	(1)
List of Judges	138	(1)
Key Number System	138	(1)
Finding Parallel Cites	138	(2)
Cross-References	138	(1)
National Reporter Blue Book and State Blue and White Books	139	(1)
Shepard's Citations and KeyCite	139	(1)
State Digests	140	(1)
Summary of West's National Reporter System	140	(2)
Briefing Cases	142	(6)
Citation Form	148	(7)
Federal Cases	148	(2)
State Cases	150	(1)
CyberSites	151	(1)
Writing Strategies	152	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 4	153	(1)
State Your Answer	153	(2)
The Use of Digests, Annotated Law Reports, and Words and Phrases	155	(38)
Using Digests to Locate Cases	156	(19)
Introduction	156	(1)
The American Digest System	157	(1)
Organization of the American Digest System	157	(3)
West's Digest Topics	160	(3)
Locating a Topic and Key Number	163	(1)
Descriptive Word Approach	163	(1)
Topic Approach	164	(2)
Table of Cases Approach	166	(1)
``Case on Point'' Approach	166	(3)
Using Digests	169	(1)
Other West Digests	169	(2)
United States Supreme Court Digest	171	(1)
Federal Practice Digests	171	(1)
Regional Digests	171	(1)
State Digests	172	(1)
Specialized Digests	172	(1)
Common Features of West's Digests	173	(1)
Uniform Classification	173	(1)
Descriptive Word Indexes	173	(1)
Table of Cases	173	(1)
Table of Words and Phrases	173	(1)
Supplementation	174	(1)
Cross-Referencing	174	(1)
Other Digests	174	(1)
American Law Reports	175	(10)
Introduction	175	(1)
A.L.R. Organization	176	(1)
Features of A.L.R.	177	(1)
Finding A.L.R. Annotations	178	(1)
Index or Descriptive-Word Approach	178	(1)
Digest Approach	178	(4)
Miscellaneous Approaches	182	(1)
Updating A.L.R. Annotations	182	(3)
Words and Phrases	185	(2)
Citation Form	187	(6)
CyberSites	188	(1)
Writing Strategies	189	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 5	190	(1)
State Your Answer	191	(2)
Section II Legal Research: Secondary Authorities and Other Research Aids	193	(392)
Encyclopedias, Periodicals, Treatises, and Restatements	195	(48)
Encyclopedias	196	(16)
Introduction	196	(1)
General or National Encyclopedias	196	(1)
C.J.S.	197	(1)
Am. Jur. 2d	197	(4)
Features Common to C.J.S. and Am. Jur. 2d	201	(1)
Total Client-Service Library	202	(4)
Research Strategies for Using General Encyclopedias	206	(2)
Local or State Encyclopedias	208	(1)
Introduction	208	(1)
Features Common to State Encyclopedias	208	(2)
Research Strategies for Using State Encyclopedias	210	(1)
Special Subject Encyclopedias	210	(1)
Summary	211	(1)
Legal Periodicals	212	(14)
Introduction	212	(1)
Law School Publications	212	(2)
Bar Association and Paralegal Association Publications	214	(4)
Specialized Publications	218	(1)
Legal Newspapers and Newsletters	218	(1)
How to Locate Periodical Articles	219	(1)
Index to Legal Periodicals & Books	219	(4)
Current Law Index, Legal Resource Index, and LegalTrac	223	(1)
Other Indexes	224	(1)
Special Subject Indexes	225	(1)
Other Findings Techniques	225	(1)
Summary of Legal Periodicals	225	(1)
Texts and Treatises	226	(6)
Introduction	226	(3)
Common Features of Treatises	229	(1)
Use of Treatises	230	(1)
Research Strategies for Treatises	231	(1)
Restatements	232	(5)
Introduction	232	(2)
Arrangement of Restatements	234	(1)
Research Strategies	234	(2)
Effect of Restatements	236	(1)
Citation Form	237	(6)
CyberSites	238	(2)
Writing Strategies	240	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 6	241	(1)
State Your Answer	242	(1)
Miscellaneous Secondary Authorities	243	(40)
Attorneys General Opinions	244	(1)
Introduction	244	(1)
Research Strategies	244	(1)
Legal Dictionaries and Thesauri	245	(3)
Directories	248	(8)
Introduction	248	(1)
Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory	248	(1)
Overview of Martindale-Hubbell	248	(3)
Martindale-Hubbell Law Digest Volumes	251	(4)
Local Directories	255	(1)
Specialized Directories	255	(1)
Internet Directories	255	(1)
Form Books	256	(5)
Introduction	256	(1)
Well-Known Form Books	256	(4)
Locating Form Books	260	(1)
Research Strategies	260	(1)
Summary	261	(1)
Uniform Laws	261	(5)
Introduction	261	(2)
Research Strategies	263	(3)
Use of Uniform Laws	266	(1)
Looseleaf Services	266	(2)
Introduction	266	(1)
Arrangement of Looseleaf Services	267	(1)
Research Strategies	268	(1)
Jury Instructions	268	(4)
Introduction	268	(2)
Research Strategies	270	(2)
Summary	272	(1)
Citation Form	273	(10)
CyberSites	278	(2)
Writing Strategies	280	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 7	281	(1)
State Your Answer	282	(1)
Legal Citation Form	283	(78)
Introduction to Citation Form	284	(1)
Citation Manuals	285	(2)
Introduction	285	(1)
Overview of The Bluebook	285	(1)
Overview of ALWD	286	(1)
Other Citation Manuals	286	(1)
The Bluebook	287	(4)
Organization of The Bluebook	287	(1)
Typeface Conventions	288	(2)
Revisions to the 18th Edition of The Bluebook	290	(1)
Bluebook Citation Rules and Examples for Primary Authorities	291	(24)
Cases	291	(1)
Introduction	291	(1)
Case Names	291	(4)
Parallel Citations	295	(5)
Recent Cases	300	(2)
Abbreviations in Case Citations	302	(1)
Spacing	302	(2)
Federal Cases	304	(5)
Subsequent History	309	(1)
Prior History	309	(1)
Parenthetical Information	310	(1)
Different Case Name on Appeal	310	(1)
Order of Preference for Citations	310	(1)
Statutes	311	(1)
State Statutes	311	(1)
Federal Statutes	312	(1)
Miscellaneous Rules Regarding Citation of Statutes	312	(3)
Rules	315	(1)
Constitutions	315	(1)
State Constitutions	315	(1)
United States Constitutions	315	(1)
Bluebook Citation Rules and Examples for Secondary Authorities	315	(4)
Annotations	315	(1)
Encyclopedias	316	(1)
Periodical Materials	316	(1)
Books, Texts, and Treatises	317	(1)
Restatements	317	(1)
Uniform Laws	317	(1)
Dictionaries	318	(1)
Attorneys General Opinions	318	(1)
Looseleaf Services	318	(1)
The ALWD Citation Manual	319	(3)
Introduction	319	(1)
ALWD Citation Rules and Examples for Primary Authorities	319	(1)
Citation of Cases	319	(2)
Citation of Statutes	321	(1)
ALWD Citation Rules and Examples for Secondary Authorities	321	(1)
Annotations	322	(1)
Encyclopedias	322	(1)
Periodical Materials	322	(1)
Books, Texts, and Treatises	322	(1)
Restatements	322	(1)
Special Citation Issues	322	(23)
Introduction	322	(1)
Punctuation	323	(1)
Citation ``Sentences''	323	(1)
Citation ``Clauses''	323	(1)
String Citing	324	(1)
Introduction	324	(1)
Order of Citations in String Cites	325	(1)
Quotations	326	(1)
Introduction	326	(1)
Indicating Quotations in Text	327	(2)
Alterations of Quotes	329	(1)
Adding Emphasis	330	(1)
Omitting Citations	330	(1)
Use of Ellipses	331	(1)
Omissions from the Middle of a Quote	331	(1)
Omissions from the End of a Quote	331	(1)
Using Quoted Language as a Phrase	331	(1)
Paragraph Structure	332	(1)
Citation Signals	333	(2)
Short Form Citations	335	(1)
Cases	336	(1)
Statutes	336	(1)
Constitutions	336	(1)
Books and Periodical Materials	337	(1)
Use of Id., Supra, Infra, and Hereinafter	337	(1)
Id.	337	(2)
Supra	339	(2)
Infra	341	(1)
Use of ``Hereinafter''	341	(1)
Capitalization in Court Documents and Other Legal Memoranda	342	(1)
Electronic Sources, Databases, and the Internet	342	(2)
Statutes and Constitutions	344	(1)
Books, Journals, and Magazines	344	(1)
Tips for Effective Cite-Checking	345	(5)
Quick Reference for Citations	350	(11)
Cases	350	(1)
Statutes	350	(1)
Constitutions	351	(1)
Encyclopedias	351	(1)
Law Review Articles	351	(1)
Texts and Treatises	351	(1)
Restatements	351	(1)
Dictionaries	351	(1)
Attorneys General Opinions	352	(1)
Summary of Special Citation Issues	352	(1)
Internet Citation Form	352	(2)
CyberSites	354	(2)
Writing Strategies	356	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 8	357	(2)
State Your Answer	359	(2)
Updating and Validating Your Research	361	(58)
Introduction to Updating and Validating	362	(1)
Shepardizing Cases	363	(22)
Locating Shepard's Citations	363	(3)
Locating Shepard's References to Your Case	366	(1)
Analysis of References in Shepard's	367	(1)
Abbreviations	367	(1)
History References	368	(1)
Treatment References	368	(3)
No Indication of Treatment	371	(1)
Arrangement of Later Cases	371	(1)
Other Identifying Letters	372	(1)
References to Headnotes	372	(1)
References to Sources Other than Cases	373	(1)
Attorneys General Opinions	373	(1)
Law Review Articles	373	(1)
Annotations	373	(1)
Using Shepard's	374	(1)
Analyzing Negative Letters	374	(2)
Shepardizing Using a Regional Shepard's	376	(3)
Shepardizing Neutral or Public Domain Citations	379	(1)
When to Shepardize	379	(1)
Shepardizing Federal Cases	380	(1)
United States Supreme Court Cases	380	(1)
Lower Federal Court Cases	380	(1)
How Many Volumes to Use When Shepardizing	380	(4)
Troubleshooting	384	(1)
Using Shepard's to Find Parallel Citations	384	(1)
Shepardizing Statutes	385	(8)
Locating Shepard's for Statutes	385	(1)
Locating Shepard's References to Your Statute	386	(1)
Analysis of References in Shepard's	386	(1)
History References	386	(1)
Treatment References	386	(2)
No References to Your Statute	388	(1)
Other References	388	(1)
Advantages of Shepardizing Statutes	388	(1)
Analyzing Negative Letters	389	(1)
Shepardizing Federal Statutes	389	(1)
When to Shepardize	389	(1)
How Many Volumes to Use When Shepardizing a Statue	389	(3)
Troubleshooting	392	(1)
Shepardizing Constitutions	393	(1)
Shepardizing Provisions of State Constitutions	393	(1)
Shepardizing Provisions of the United States Constitution	393	(1)
Shepardizing Administrative Regulations	394	(1)
Shepardizing Restatement Provisions	394	(2)
Shepardizing Court Rules	396	(1)
Specialized Citators	396	(2)
Miscellaneous Citators	398	(1)
Shepard's Daily Update Service	398	(2)
Electronic Updating of Legal Authorities	400	(12)
Introduction to Electronic Updating	400	(1)
Shepardizing Online	401	(1)
How to Shepardize a Case Online	401	(1)
Features of Shepard's Online	402	(2)
Shepardizing Statutes and Regulations Online	404	(1)
Other Shepard's Products	405	(1)
KeyCite	406	(1)
How to KeyCite Cases	406	(2)
Features of KeyCite	408	(1)
KeyCiting Statutes and Regulations	409	(1)
Other West Products	410	(1)
Comparing Shepardizing Online with KeyCite	411	(1)
Other Services	412	(1)
Summary	412	(7)
CyberSites	414	(1)
Writing Strategies	415	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 9	416	(1)
State Your Answer	417	(2)
Special Research Issues	419	(62)
Legislative History	420	(20)
Introduction to Federal Legislative History Research	420	(1)
Documents Composing Federal Legislative History	421	(1)
Versions of a Bill	421	(1)
Transcripts of Committee Hearings	421	(1)
Committee Reports and Prints	422	(1)
Debates	422	(1)
The Process of Compiling a Legislative History	422	(1)
Examining the History of a Statute and Getting a Public Law Number	423	(1)
Using a Public Law Number	424	(2)
Using Electronic Sources and the Internet to Compile a Legislative History	426	(1)
LEXIS	426	(1)
Westlaw	427	(1)
Thomas	427	(1)
GPO Access	428	(2)
Obtaining Documents Needed for Legislative Histories	430	(1)
Bills and Their Amendments	430	(1)
Transcripts of Committee Hearings	430	(1)
Committee Reports and Prints	430	(1)
Debates	430	(1)
Alternate Methods of Obtaining Legislative History for Federal Statutes	431	(1)
Compiled Legislative Histories	431	(1)
Legislative History Worksheets	431	(1)
Commercial Services	431	(1)
Reference Assistance	432	(1)
Congressional Assistance	432	(1)
Law Reviews and Annotations	433	(1)
Web-based Tutorials	434	(1)
Introduction to State Legislative History	434	(1)
Documents Composing State Legislative History	435	(1)
The Process of Compiling a State Legislative History	435	(1)
Alternate Methods of Obtaining Legislative History for State Statutes	436	(1)
Tracking Pending Legislation	437	(1)
Summary of Legislative History Research	438	(2)
Executive Materials	440	(4)
Introduction	440	(1)
Proclamations	440	(2)
Executive Orders	442	(1)
Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents	442	(2)
Administrative Law	444	(14)
Introduction to Federal Administrative Law	444	(1)
Publication of Federal Administrative Law	445	(4)
Research Techniques for Administrative Law	449	(1)
C.F.R.	449	(1)
The Federal Register	449	(2)
Updating C.F.R. Regulations	451	(1)
List of C.F.R. Sections Affected	451	(1)
C.F.R. Parts Affected	451	(2)
Electronic and Online Methods of Administrative Law Research	453	(1)
Decisions	453	(1)
Review of Agency Decisions	454	(1)
Locating Federal Cases Reviewing Agency Decisions	455	(1)
The United States Government Manual	456	(1)
State Administrative Law	457	(1)
International Law	458	(9)
Introduction	458	(1)
Sources of International Law	458	(1)
Overview of International Law Research Procedure	459	(1)
Basic Texts and Sources	459	(1)
Treaties	460	(1)
Sources for Treaties	461	(1)
Pre-Ratification	461	(1)
Post-Ratification	461	(1)
Determining the Current Status of Treaties	462	(1)
Interpreting Treaties	463	(2)
Citation Form	465	(1)
International Tribunals	465	(1)
International Organizations	466	(1)
Municipal Research	467	(3)
Introduction	467	(1)
Terminology	467	(1)
Municipal Research Materials	468	(1)
Municipal Research Procedure	468	(1)
Interpretations of Municipal Ordinances	469	(1)
Rules of Procedure and Court Rules	470	(3)
Introduction	470	(1)
Federal Rules of Procedure	470	(2)
Federal Rules of Court	472	(1)
State Rules of Procedure and Court Rules	472	(1)
Citation Form	473	(8)
CyberSites	475	(2)
Writing Strategies	477	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 10	478	(2)
State Your Answer	480	(1)
The Digital Library: LEXIS, Westlaw, and Non-Print Research Sources	481	(46)
Microforms	482	(3)
Microfilm	482	(1)
Microfiche	483	(1)
Ultrafiche	483	(1)
Summary of Microforms	484	(1)
Sound Recordings and Videocassettes	485	(1)
Floppy Disks and CD-ROM	485	(2)
Floppy Disks	485	(1)
CD-ROM	486	(1)
Computer-Assisted Legal Research	487	(29)
Introduction	487	(2)
Lexis	489	(1)
Introduction and Organization	489	(1)
Constructing a Search	490	(4)
Search Advisor	494	(1)
Display of Search Results	494	(2)
Searching for Statutes	496	(1)
Searching for Constitutions	497	(1)
Searching for Cases	497	(1)
Shepardizing	498	(1)
CheckCite and CiteRite II	498	(1)
Segment Searching	498	(1)
Law Reviews	499	(1)
Administrative and Legislative Materials	499	(1)
Other LEXIS Features	499	(1)
Affiliated Services	500	(1)
Delivering Documents	500	(1)
Westlaw	501	(1)
Introduction and Organization	501	(1)
Getting Started	501	(1)
Constructing a Search	502	(1)
WIN	503	(1)
Display of Search Results	504	(1)
Searching for Statutes	505	(1)
Searching for Cases	505	(1)
KeyCiting	506	(1)
WestCheck	506	(1)
Field Searching/Restrictions	507	(1)
Additional Databases	507	(1)
Administrative and Legislative Materials	508	(1)
Affiliated Services	509	(1)
Document Delivery	509	(1)
KeySearch	510	(1)
Final Pointers on Computer-Assisted Legal Research	511	(1)
When to Use LEXIS or Westlaw	511	(1)
LEXIS or Westlaw	512	(1)
New Developments in LEXIS and Westlaw	513	(1)
Limitations of Computer-Assisted Legal Research	514	(1)
Getting Help	515	(1)
Other Competitors in Commercial Electronic Research	516	(1)
Dead-Tree Publishing	517	(1)
Citation Form	518	(9)
CyberSites	520	(1)
Writing Strategies	521	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 11	522	(4)
State Your Answer	526	(1)
E-Research: Legal Research Using the Internet	527	(30)
Introduction	528	(2)
Glossary of Terms	530	(3)
Conducting Legal Research Online	533	(4)
Getting Started	533	(1)
Using a Good Start Page	533	(4)
Strategies and Tips for Internet Legal Research	537	(3)
Ethical Concerns Regarding Use of the Internet	540	(1)
Surf's Up: The Best Internet Legal Research Sites	541	(8)
Best Legal Start Sites	541	(1)
Best Sites for Locating Cases	542	(1)
Best Sites for Locating Statutes	542	(1)
Best Sites for Government Materials	543	(1)
Best Sites for Locating Forms	543	(1)
Paralegal Sites	544	(1)
Best Specialty Sites	544	(3)
Best Non-Legal Sites	547	(1)
Where to Start When All Else Fails	548	(1)
Listservs, Newsgroups, and Blawgs	548	(1)
Cautionary Notes on Internet Legal Research	549	(1)
Citation Form	550	(7)
Net Tips	551	(1)
Writing Strategies	552	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 12	553	(1)
State Your Answer	554	(3)
Overview of the Research Process	557	(28)
How to Begin	557	(11)
Introduction	557	(1)
Thinking Things Through	558	(2)
Tackling the Project	560	(2)
Familiarization	562	(1)
Consult Primary Sources	562	(2)
Consult Secondary Sources	564	(2)
Miscellaneous Research Guides	566	(1)
Strategies for Effective Research	566	(2)
Working with the Authorities	568	(6)
Note-Taking	568	(1)
Organizing Your Notes	569	(2)
Contents of Notes	571	(1)
Complete Notes	572	(1)
Staying Focused	573	(1)
When to Stop	574	(11)
Practical Considerations	574	(1)
Complex Projects	575	(2)
Quick Questions	577	(1)
Established Issues	577	(1)
Issues of First Impression	578	(1)
How Many Authorities Are Enough?	578	(2)
CyberSites	580	(2)
Writing Strategies	582	(1)
State Your Answer	583	(2)
Section III Legal Writing	585	(172)
Back to Basics	587	(26)
The Mechanics of Writing	587	(2)
Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation	589	(24)
Grammar Do's and Don't's	589	(1)
Subject-Verb Agreement	589	(3)
Sentence Fragments	592	(1)
Run-on Sentences	592	(1)
Modifiers	592	(1)
Split Infinitives	593	(1)
Dangling Participles	594	(1)
Pronouns	594	(5)
Spelling	599	(2)
Punctuation	601	(1)
Introduction	601	(1)
Commas	601	(2)
Apostrophes	603	(2)
Colons	605	(1)
Semicolons	606	(1)
Quotation Marks	606	(1)
Parentheses	607	(1)
Dashes	607	(1)
Exclamation Marks	607	(1)
Hyphens	608	(1)
Slashes or Virgules	608	(1)
CyberSites	609	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 14	610	(1)
State Your Answer	611	(2)
Strategies for Effective Writing	613	(36)
Introduction	613	(1)
The Plain English Movement	614	(1)
Prewriting	615	(2)
Purpose	615	(1)
Audience	616	(1)
Precision	617	(5)
Word Choice	618	(3)
Vague Words	621	(1)
Word Connotation	622	(1)
Clarity	622	(2)
Elegant Variation	623	(1)
Negatives	623	(1)
Word Order	624	(1)
Readability	624	(7)
Prefer the Active Voice	624	(1)
Use Lists	625	(1)
Avoid Nominalizations	626	(1)
Avoid Legal Jargon	627	(1)
Keep Subjects and Verbs in Proximity	628	(1)
Use Forceful Words	629	(1)
Repeat Strong Words and Phrases	630	(1)
Vary the Length of Sentences	631	(1)
Brevity	631	(4)
Omit Needless Words	632	(1)
Avoid ``Throat-Clearing'' Introductions	633	(1)
Avoid Redundancy	633	(1)
Avoid Repetition	634	(1)
Order	635	(4)
Outlines	635	(1)
Internal Organization	636	(1)
Use Headings	636	(1)
Use Effective Paragraphs	636	(1)
Use Effective Transitions	637	(1)
Use Position and Voice for Emphasis	638	(1)
Drafting Techniques	639	(3)
Getting Started	639	(1)
Finishing on Time	640	(1)
Methods of Writing	640	(1)
Writing by Hand	641	(1)
Dictating	641	(1)
Using a Word Processor	641	(1)
Electronic Communications	642	(7)
Phones and Voice Mail	642	(1)
Communication by Facsimile	643	(1)
E-mail	643	(1)
CyberSites	644	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 15	645	(2)
State Your Answer	647	(2)
Legal Correspondence	649	(22)
Letterwriting	649	(20)
Introduction	649	(1)
Who Will Be Reading This Letter?	650	(1)
What Will This Letter Say?	650	(1)
The Elements of Letters	651	(1)
Letterhead	651	(1)
Date	651	(1)
Special Mailing Notations	651	(1)
Inside Address	652	(1)
Reference or Subject Notation	652	(1)
Salutation	653	(1)
Body	653	(1)
Closing and Signature	654	(1)
Reference Initials, Enclosures, and Copies	654	(1)
Format Considerations	655	(1)
Types of Letters	656	(1)
General Correspondence	656	(1)
Demand Letters	657	(7)
Opinion Letters	664	(5)
Conclusion	669	(2)
CyberSites	669	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 16	670	(1)
State Your Answer	670	(1)
Legal Memoranda	671	(16)
Introduction	672	(1)
Be Objective	672	(1)
Be Specific	673	(1)
Be Complete	673	(1)
Format of Memoranda	673	(9)
Heading	673	(2)
Issue(s) or Question(s) Presented	675	(1)
Brief Answer(s)	676	(1)
Statement of Facts	676	(1)
Applicable Statutes	677	(1)
Analysis or Discussion	678	(4)
Conclusion	682	(1)
A Blueprint for Preparing a Memorandum	682	(5)
CyberSites	685	(1)
Legal Memorandum Assignment for Chapter 17	686	(1)
State Your Answer	686	(1)
Legal Briefs	687	(22)
Introduction	687	(1)
Tips on Writing Briefs	688	(3)
Be Persuasive	688	(2)
Be Honest	690	(1)
Know the Rules	690	(1)
Trial Court Briefs	691	(5)
Introduction	691	(1)
Elements of a Trial Brief	691	(1)
Caption	691	(1)
Introductory Statement	692	(1)
Statement of Facts	692	(1)
Argument	692	(2)
Conclusion	694	(1)
Signature and Date	695	(1)
Certificate of Service	695	(1)
Exhibits	695	(1)
Appellate Briefs	696	(9)
Introduction	696	(1)
Steps in the Appeal Process	696	(1)
Standards of Appellate Review	697	(1)
Amicus Curiae Briefs	698	(1)
Elements of an Appellate Brief	698	(1)
Cover Sheet	698	(1)
Identification of Parties	699	(1)
Table of Contents	700	(1)
Table of Authorities	700	(1)
Jurisdictional Statement	701	(1)
Constitutional and Statutory Provisions	701	(1)
Questions Presented	701	(1)
Statement of the Case	702	(1)
Summary of the Argument	703	(1)
Argument	703	(1)
Conclusion	704	(1)
Signature	704	(1)
Certificate of Service	705	(1)
Appendix	705	(1)
Ten Pointers for Effective Brief Writing	705	(4)
CyberSites	706	(1)
Court Brief Exercise for Chapter 18	707	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 18	708	(1)
State Your Answer	708	(1)
Postwriting Steps	709	(48)
Reviewing and Revising: Stage One	710	(1)
Reviewing and Revising: Stage Two	711	(1)
Sentence Length	711	(1)
Needless Words and Phrases	711	(1)
Legalese	712	(1)
Passive Voice	712	(1)
Proofreading	712	(2)
Proofreading Projects by Others	714	(1)
Proofreaders' Marks	715	(1)
Polishing Your Writing	715	(5)
Paper	715	(2)
Typeface	717	(1)
Type Size	718	(1)
Length of Document	718	(1)
Headings	719	(1)
Quotations and Lists	720	(1)
The Final Review	720	(1)
Conclusion	721	(4)
CyberSites	722	(1)
Assignment for Chapter 19	723	(1)
State Your Answer	723	(2)
Appendices
Appendix A Sample Legal Memorandum	725	(6)
Appendix B Sample Brief for Court	731	(8)
Appendix C Sample Appellate Brief	739	(14)
Appendix D Sample Table of Authorities	753	(4)
Glossary	757	(14)
Resources	771	(4)
Index	775